Our Roles - Lesson from John the Baptist.

            Conflict in any relationship arises from several factors. In work-related relationships in particular, role ambiguity occurs when someone is uncertain about what is expected of him/her. Relationship-related stress can actually be minimized, if not altogether avoided, if roles and competence are clearly defined. Having such would allow all parties in any relationship to know what to expect from each other.

            John the Baptist for his part had a clearly defined task. This entailed knowing fully well when and where his role begins and ends. One day upon seeing Jesus he testified about Jesus to the crowd, saying”…the reason why I came baptizing with water was that He might be made known to Israel” (Jn 1:23). Earlier in this same incident when asked of his identity John categorically stated that he is not the Messiah (Jn 1:15) and appropriated to himself the role of “a voice crying in the wilderness” (Jn 1:17) to herald the coming of the real redeemer of the world. Indeed when roles are clearly made conflicts of expectations and their resulting stress are fairly put at bay and prevented.

            Best wishes for the year 2017, full of JOY and Role completion.